Fun With Primaries

From the walls to the accessories, lots of energizing color adds instant fun to this playful bedroom.

Perfect for Kids

Decorating with primary colors is great for kids. The room's vibe will match perfectly with their high-energy personalities. Consider lighter paint colors for the walls if the room doesn't get a lot of light or is on the small side. Alternatively, a darker color, like the cobalt blue seen here, will work well in larger rooms with plenty of sunlight.

Red + Yellow + Blue

These hues are the original "three amigos" of the color wheel, so it's no surprise they play well together. Control the overall intensity of this palette through the amount of color used. For example, use equal amounts of each hue throughout the space for an amped-up look. And if you like primary colors but wouldn't mind toning it down a tad, go with the 60-20-20 formula by using one color in 60 percent of the space and the other two colors about 20 percent each.

Psychology of Color

When deciding what hue to use on the walls, consider the psychology of color. It's long been said that color influences mood and behavior. Yellow is associated with happiness, red with excitement and blue with stability.

Ground the Space

Primary colors are easy to work with, thanks in part to their simplicity. That's why using crisp, white furniture in a space with lots of bold colors is a smart move. White pieces are not only grounding, they also pop beautifully against color-saturated walls.

Colors to Grow With

Believe it or not, primary colors are quite versatile, unlike the baby blues and pinks of the world. The beauty of a bold blue or happy yellow wall color is that your little one won't outgrow it overnight. And because they're classic hues, you can find lots of accessories and bedding that will make kids and parents happy.

Get Graphic

Mixing various patterns gives accessories and bedding a more graphic look. Punch up the room with stripes, circles, plaids and checks. Anything goes — just work within your color palette.

Go Geometric

Kids are experts on shapes, so be sure to play up the geometrics. Look for patterned rugs and linens or funky shaped furniture and accessories.

Playful Art

Consider creating your own art in bold colors, or look for pieces that are graphic or inspired by comic books. Kids will love it now and five years down the road.

Complementary Hues

If primary colors aren't exactly your thing, consider complementary colors, which are opposite one another on the color wheel (like greens and pinks or oranges and blues). Grab a handful of swatches and play around to get the palette nailed down, then start shopping for paint, accents and accessories.